Multitasking on the Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Samsung offers a wealth of multitasking features on the Note 4 — but there's a learning curve involved

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4, like many modern Android phones, has an enormous high-res display. Arguably, though, it's the Note's unique multitasking setup that helps you get the most out of that vast visual realestate. Features like windowed mode and multiwindow bring desktop-like capabilities to Samsung's latest oversized phone. However it's not always obvious where these features live, and there are a few different ways to interact with the Note 4's unique multitasking setup.

Multiwindow and Pop-up view

Since debuting on the Galaxy Note 2, Samsung's multiwindow feature has expanded its functionality significantly, but the basic purpose remains the same — run more than one on-screen at once. On the Note 4, the traditional split-screen view and the new pop-up windowed mode are interchangeable, and you can swap freely between them. Note that not all apps support multiwindow, as in most cases this needs to be enabled by the app's developer. However the main Samsung and Google apps, as well as staples like Twitter and Facebook all work in this mode.

There area bunch of different ways to use multiwindow, but first you'll want to make sure it's turned on. Head to Settings > Device > Multiwindow and check the toggle at the top. Here's also where you can tell apps to launch automatically in multiwindow mode, and enable or disable the shortcut for pop-up view, which we'll get to shortly.

The main way to use the Note 4's various windowed modes is through the multiwindow panel, accessible by long-pressing the back key. If this doesn't work, go back and check multiwindow is enabled in the settings, or using the quick setting shortcut in the notification shade.

The panel slides out from the right, and gives you quick access to apps that support multiwindow. To add or remove apps from this list, press the arrow at the bottom of the panel, then select "Edit," and move apps in and out of the side panel.

Tap an icon in the multiwindow panel to open it in pop-up view. This creates a small, windowed version of the app that can be resized by dragging the corners, or moved around by dragging the circular button at the top. (A neat trick is to drag it to the top or bottom of the screen to go fullscreen, or open it in a split-screen view if there's already a supported full-screen app running.)

Tapping that button also brings up window controls. From left to right —

Swap content between apps: Tap this icon to drag and drop content between windows. As always, Samsung's own apps make best use of this feature, and not all types of content are supported. You can however drag and drop images into the Samsung Messaging app, or move items around on the phone's internal storage using this feature.

Minimize: Collapses the app down to a Facebook chat head-style button, which you can move around your screen. (Pressing the home key with an app in windowed mode will automatically minimize it.)

Maximize: Sends the app into full screen mode.

Close: Closes the windowed app.

You can also quickly send a full-screen app into windowed mode by swiping diagonally inwards from one of the top corners of the display — this is a little quicker than using the multiwindow menu to open your desired app.

So that's pop-up view. The traditional multiwindow split-screen mode works similarly, and you can access this through the slide-out multiwindow panel. To split the screen between two supported apps, simply drag and drop them into place. (Note that some apps, like Camera and Calculator, only support pop-up view, not split-screen.) From here you can use the central control to resize the partitioned display, making one app bigger and the other smaller. And in addition to the controls available in pop-up view mode, you can also swap the position of the two apps using the swap button.

You'll also lose the persistent status bar in split-screen mode; to get it back, simply swipe down from the top of the screen.

Some apps can be opened in multiple instances — for example, the file browser can be open and show different folders in pop-up view or multiwindow mode. When an app can do this, you'll see a small arrow next to it in the multiwindow menu. Tap it to view a preview of all the instances of the app.

If you find there's a pair of apps you use frequently, you can create a custom view and save it to the multiwindow menu for quick access. With your chosen apps open in split-screen view, tap the arrow at the bottom of the multiwindow menu, then tap "Create." To remove it, tap "Edit," then the minus icon by the app pair.

The basic app-switching menu

Officially called "Recents" or "Overview" depending on which version of Android you're running, the Galaxy Note 4's task-switching button brings up your recent apps in a Lollipop-style stack of cards, which you can navigate by swiping up or down. Down below you'll find buttons for clearing all apps out of memory, and viewing your RAM status — but on a high-end phone like the Note 4 shouldn't really need to use these.

As well as giving you an easy way to hop between recent apps, the Note 4's app switcher includes buttons to start an app in multiwindow mode if supported — that's the icon on the far right of the app label. If an app doesn't have this icon, it means it'll only run in fullscreen mode.

Another neat trick is to long-press on a multiwindow-capable app to bring it up in pop-up view — again, this is a bit quicker than the alternative ways of activating pop-up view.

The choice is yours

Samsung's multitasking features have been simplified somewhat in the Note 4, but there's still a whole bunch of ways to activate them, and a wealth of different possibilities when you're using them. As we've said before, though, the main issue with these features is the fact that not all apps are supported in all modes — and that includes many built-in apps. It's powerful for sure, but still a bit confusing, even for seasoned users.

How are you using the multitasking features on your Galaxy Note 4? Shout out in the comments!

The drag and drop features are amazing! Im constantly talking on the phone while sending pictures or other files. The S Pen, multi tasking, and this beautiful screen are the reasons I chose the Note. Speaking of 4K does anyine know were to download the Costa Rica video in 4K. Sorry ADD...

I does. I don't know why Samsung doesn't allow it out the box but there are apps on the play store or if you are rooted you can do it with wanan. We need this type of multi tasking we need on tablets but google doesn't seem to care about the large screen experience.

This version of TouchWiz on the note 4 is actually decent it definitely could use some trimming to speed up the software but overall I'm quite happy with the note 4 my only problem with the note 4 so far is the battery life is nowhere near as good as I had expected. Very dissapointed with battery life . Camera and display are excellent oh and signal strength for WiFi and data are not that strong either.

Have you received the OTA that Samsung pushed out the day prior to the note 4 launch? AT&T sat on it for over a month before finally pushing it out last week, without acknowledging that the battery optimization was included, so they wouldn't look bad for the delay I assume. My battery life increased by about 30-40% I'd say since the update

Another thing you can do is set the runtime system to ART. I would read the comments -some people have had problems, and you may not want to do it. ART is in Beata testing now, but it will be included in Lollipop. I did it and no problems. My Note 4 is a speed demon now.http://youtu.be/U5oliXcOqxg

I tried running it in Art and it was definitely smoother and battery life was better but every other day it would reboot and it would say upgrading android and it would take like 15 min to restart cause I have a lot of apps .

Being able to have a notes app and something else- e.g. a browser is useful to me. Just so I can copy and paste quicker. Being able to look things up online without closing an app could also be useful.

However I don't see the point in watching a video and browsing at the same time as it just detracts from both experiences.

I use the Multitasking feature almost daily! Most often, with the Evernote, Calendar & Calculator apps & also with my email accounts. One of the biggest reasons I bought the N4 was is Multitasking capabilities & the SPen...can't live without that either, I use it for EVERYTHING!

Assuming they are installed, no. Not trying to be a "smart a$$" but after years as a PC tech, that's the first place you go :)

Not all apps will show up in the multi-task panel by default. Samsung only allows apps that they know will work in that mode to be in the panel. You can override it, but it requires root. I don't know about Instagram, but Twitter should be there.

I had to add instagram to the multiwindow panel. There's a little arrow at the bottom of the multiwindow panel and when you click on it, you get three options (Create, Edit, Help). When you click Edit, it slides open another panel with other apps that can be added. Just drag and drop over to the multiwindow panel and then you're set.

I appreciate the info. I've tried everything since day one and I just assumed they didn't work with multiwindow until I read this article. I'll download Plume as well to see if it's just those apps or an issue with the software.

no problem! that's weird because I have the official Twitter app and Plume open in multiwindow right now. I didn't have to add the official Twitter app or Plume to the multiwindow panel as they were already in there. They also both have the multiwindow icon on their respective tabs in the Recents menu.

I wish it were that easy. They don't show up as an option to add to the panel. When I hit the recents key, they don't show the two window indicator at the top of the app as well to indicate they work with multiwindow. I don't know......

When I tap the recents, my instagram shows the "multi window" button on the top right. I didn't do anything in the settings or anything, so I'm not sure why yours isn't working that way, sorry. Also I think instagram wad only possible once I installed the most recent update from at&t, if that helps you at all

Flossy is using a Sprint Galaxy Note 4 that's not activated. The SIM-TOOLKIT runs in the background off and on until you activate it.
That's why there's lag. I was using mine for 2 days the same way, and then after I activated it no lag.

Great point. I hate when try and hate on things without all the info. I've had a Samsung for years, tried to run away with the htc one but the features Samsung offers made me missed them. I'm the first to say I hate the way touch wiz looks but I absolutely love the features it brings.